6 Weekend Health Mistakes To Avoid

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Many of us spend the entire workweek looking forward to the weekend, but when Saturday and Sunday actually roll around, we're not necessarily making the most of those precious 48 hours off.

The way we spend our weekends -- the two days of the week theoretically devoted to rest -- is often counterproductive. While the week's end should be about doing things you love and refueling for the week ahead, all too often our workplace anxieties trickle over from Friday to Saturday, adding stress to what should be a relaxing time. And even if you're not taking work home with you, you may be unwittingly sabotaging your weekend with bad habits that can negatively affect your sleep patterns, weight loss efforts, and stress levels.

Click through the slideshow below for six common mistakes that can sabotage your time off -- and how to avoid them, making this Monday morning your best ever.

Being constantly plugged in can have a number of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/02/national-day-of-unplugging-health-reasons-unplug_n_2791658.html" target="_blank">negative health impacts</a>, from decreased focus and productivity to trouble sleeping and higher stress levels.
Taking the time to unplug and recharge can help to keep stress levels in check and maximize your weekend relaxation. Writer and filmmaker<a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2013/03/techs_best_feature_the_off_swi.html" target="_blank"> Tiffany Shlain tells</a> the <em>Harvard Business Review</em> that her family takes "tech shabbats" once a week in which they don't use any digital devices. Try going tech-free for one day, afternoon, or even just an hour of the weekend while enjoying an outdoor activity or time with loved ones.